adjective
originally
B1
Means originally or initially. Used adjectivally or adverbially to indicate origin or initial state (e.g., ursprünglich geplant = originally planned). Not gradable (typically not used with modifiers like 'sehr'). Antonym given: 'abgeleitet'. Common in temporal and descriptive contexts. Often placed before verbs or nouns.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.EXAMPLES
Das Gebäude war ursprünglich ein Lagerraum, bevor es in ein Museum umgewandelt wurde.
The building was originally a storage room before it was converted into a museum.
Ursprünglich war das Haus ein Bauernhof.
Originally, the house was a farmhouse.
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.DETAILS_LABEL
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.MNEMONICS
Picture a sign that says 'original' on the very first item in a row — that first item is 'ursprünglich'.
Sounds like 'your spring-lich' — link to 'original' or 'origin' (spring/origin).
VOCABULARY.DETAILS.NOTES
Can function as an adjective or adverb in German. Often translated as 'originally' or 'initially'. Not frequently used in comparative forms.